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Greetings to you all in the name of Jesus, soon coming to us again as a child. The coming celebrations of Advent and Christmas also mean that winter has come to Korea. Whenever winter comes I cannot help but think about those struggling with poverty, those who will not have adequate protection from the cold, especially those who find themselves homeless this year. When I imagine the Korean church, I imagine it to be very big, expansive, and splendorous. So I also consider how important it is that God calls us to create space for those struggling with homelessness and hunger.
It reminds me of how Jesus gave us the example of the Samaritan, a cultural punching bag at the time, who Jesus lifted up as a model of neighborly behavior while also calling us to love across cultural boundaries. I am also filled with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus as I pass by those sitting outside houses of wealth waiting for comfort. Waiting for winter also brings to mind the families SEWOL victims, especially those who have been waiting for months for the body of their loved one that was never found. This group is growing very weary, and some have given up the wait. Christianity must find ways to help God bring healing to those suffering at these times.
Too often we Christians become distracted by the temple as the church’s highest calling. We forget about those who suffer as we long for huge and glorious church buildings and thousands of worshippers. However, Jesus regarded the temples we create in a different light. We read in Mark chapter 13: “As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’” We must remember that the grandeur of the church will not be everlasting, and is therefore not our main purpose. Our main purpose according to Jesus is helping God to establish heaven among us now, which involves care and empathy for the poor, the homeless, and the hungry. Ever since the financial crisis of the 80’s and 90’s, the intervention of the IMF, and the resulting explosion of homelessness, many Asian countries have struggled to find a solution. As Christmas will soon arrive, we should long and work for the solution of homelessness as much as we put energy into celebrations that await the baby Jesus.
As we continue to pray with and for all of you, we ask you again to continue to pray for Korea. We ask for prayers not only for the struggle against homelessness but also for peace and an end to violent conflict here. The most recent development was the approaching deadline for completing the transfer of ultimate command over Korean armed forces from the US commanding general, with whom it now resides, to the Korean military. This was scheduled to occur in 2012, but President Lee, Myung-Bak delayed the transfer until this year. Now President Park, Geun-Hye has delayed it yet again indefinitely this time. Our government seems to be indefinitely dependent on US power and authority, and this relates to the administration’s hostile attitude toward North Korea. As we need the birth of Jesus, Korea desperately needs reconciliation and transformation into the Shalom of God. Please pray with us.
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